History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 131

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 131

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Hub. From Boston went to Dedham, where he was employed in a wheel factory, at $35 per month, where his part of the work was driving spokes. Not fancying the work, he went to Worcester, but remained a short time, when he left there and went to Concord, where he was employed by E. R. Thayer, and remained three years. When he got the Western fever in his head from what he had heard from a man by the name of E. G. Loring, who had located in Winona, Minnesota, and had returned to Con- cord for his family. Taking his advice he came West, and located in Winona, at that time a small town. Nothing but small shanties, and the chilling winds, and drinking the Mississippi water, made him sick, and was also sick of town, concluded he would leave. Took a boat and came down as far as Davenport, and from there went to Iowa City, where he made the acquaint- ance of a young man, and he not being satisfied started out for Omaha, Nebraska. Being desir- ous of obtaining land, they proceeded beyond the Pawnee village, where they found land and pitched their tents, having taken provisions along with them. They remained until they had eaten up their provisions, then returned to Omaha, where he left his friend, embarked on a steamer, which he will always remember by the class of men it had on board. By the descrip- tion given by Mr. Morse they were the border ruffians. Long hair, slouched hats, with a bowie knife and a revolver in their belts, and were looking for a d-d Abolitionist. Came down to St. Joe, where he remained over one night, took the first boat for St. Louis. From there came to Girard, Illinois, where he stopped over night, but not liking the appearance of the town went to Springfield, but not finding work engaged to a man in the country by the name of William Search. He became acquainted with a man by the name of Babcock, who persuaded him to come to Auburn, where he purchased a small shop of James Babcock, eighteen by twenty- four, which he paid for by finishing and making eighteen wagons.

F. M. Nicoles, builder and contractor, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Cass county, Indiana, on the 31st day of May, 1841. His father, Nathan- iel D., was a native of Virginia, where he left in an early day, and went to Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and re- ceived a common school education. When eighteen years of age, went to learn a trade, and remained one year, which he followed up until 1862, when he started for the gold fields, and got as far as Denver, where he enlisted in

the Third Colorado Cavalry. He was in one engagement, under General Shippington, fight- ing, and was in the service over one year, when he received an honorable discharge. Married Miss Mary J. Hollipater. She was born in Ohio, November 6, 1841. There were three children, two of whom are living: Etta Adrian, Isadore Jentiliska, member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 543, of Auburn, and also member of the En- campment at Springfield. Also the family are members of the Christian Church.

William Norcross, boot and shoemaker, Au- burn, Illinois, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, on the second day of October, 1824; son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Britton) Norcross. There was a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. The Norcross family was well represented in the Union Army, there being six who enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment New Jersey volunteers. Samuel, who contracted a disease and died in 1865; George, Joseph, Jonathan, who was killed at Chancellorville, Elisha and Wesley. William, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois volunteers, Company G., and mustered in at Jacksonville, September 2, 1862. He participated in the following engagements: Holly Springs, Missis- sippi, where six companies were captured by the Rebels, companies A, B, G and II, only saving themselves by retreating to Cold water, where the Irish Legion was then stationed, where they re- pelled the attack by Van Dorn, of seven thousand cavalry. Afterwards was attached to the Four- teenth Illinois Infantry, and detached as scouts; from thence to Vicksburg, and on the twenty. fifth of March, run the batteries on the United States steam ram Switzerland, for which the men on board got a furlough for meritorious conduct, by U. S. Grant. After the expirations of their fur- loughs, they joined their regiment at Union City, Tennessee, being in September, 1863; thence to Bridgeport, Alabama, took part in a midnight fight; from there to the battle of Mission Ridge; thence to Knoxville, to release Burnside, when Longstreet held him besieged, and immediately after the siege returned to Chattanooga, march- ing across the country bare-footed, without shoes, with their feet bleeding so they could be tracked by the blood from their feet. May 2, 1864, started on the Atlanta campaign, and employed the enemy at Kingston, Dalton, Ressaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and entered the city of Atlanta on the second day of September, 1864, being the first regiment in the city. At the time of Sher-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

man's March to the Sea was detailed as Forage Master of the first division of ordinance train, of the Twentieth Army Corps, and remained with Sherman until he arrived in Washing on. Was mustered out at Bladensburg, Virginia, June 9, 1865; from there came to Springfield, where they were discharged and paid off June 20, 1865. He then returned to Waverly, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and remained there four years, when he worked at farming for a short time; he afterwards engaged in railroading for a short time. In 1872, he came to Auburn, where he has followed his trade since; married Miss Martha HI. Pittit. She was born October 1, 1824. The fruits of this union was nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Merrietta, Job, Joseph R., William Jr., Albert, Walter and Ella. Previous to coming to the State, Mr. Norcross held the office of Assessor and Collector of Burling- ton township, New Jersey. Mr. Norcross came to the State in 1855, where he remained a short time, when he returned to New Jersey. In 1857 he returned to the West, where he has remained since, not living at any time, over sixteen miles from Auburn.

W. D. Patton, Auburn, Illinois, was born in this township on the 23d day of January, 1845; son of Mathew and Margaret ( McElvain) Pat- ton, natives of Kentucky. His grandfather Patton emigrated to Sangamon county in 1820, and lo- cated about two and a half miles southeast of Auburn. The family consisted of three sons and two daughters. When his father came to the county was a small boy; was reared on a farm to manhood, married and settled in the township, and raised a family of six grown chil- dren, two daughters and four sons. He remained on a farm until a few years previous to his death, when he moved to Auburn, where he died Sep- tember 16, 1879; mother died June 2, 1865. On January 23d, 1867, married Sarah J. Mackey, who still lives. The subject of this sketch was reared ou a farm and received a liberal educa- tion. In 1873, went to Pawnee township, where he engaged in farming for several years, when he embarked in merchandising, where he re- mained two years, and in the spring of 1875 came to Auburn where he engaged in the drug business the following November, and in 1880 the firm of Patton & Stout, was formed. In August, 1865, married Miss Addie M. Black, daughter of John Black. She was born May 25, 1847. There was one child, Minnie F., born December 24, 1867. llis wife, Addie, died Jan- uary 26, 1875. loved and respected by all who knew her. For his second wife Le married Miss

Caroline A. Jones, daughter of M. A. Jones of Ball township, born in Christian county, March 7, 1849. The fruits of this union was one child, Mabel Jones Patton; she was born in Auburn, Illinois, on the 7th day of November, 1879. Mr. Patton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ark and Anchor Lodge, No. 354, and of Auburn Chapter, No. 92. Mr. Patton is a man with good business abilities, and has been identified with the county all his life, and has seen it change from its broad wild prairies, to one of the best cultivated counties in the State. At this writing the firm of Patton & Stout are doing an exten- sive business in the line of drugs, medicines and druggists' sundries, wall paper, books and station- ery, pocket and table cutlery, jewelry and hard- ware; also a complete line of groceries, handled in connection with country produce.

Dawson, Poley & Co., Auburn, Illinois, man- ufacturers of drain tile, brick, and proprietors of the Auburn Coal Shaft. Among the leading business interests of Auburn, we are pleased to mention the above firm. In the year 1878, Henry Dawson, Sr., and James K. Ruder em- barked in the manufacturing of tile and brick, and continued up to February, 1881; in the meantime, opening up the Auburn Coal Shaft. In February, 1881, a company was formed, as follows: Henry Dawson, Sr., Henry Dawson, Jr., Benjamin F. Poley, C. M Poley and L. E. Ruder. A six and one-half foot vein of coal is found two hundred and sixty-eight feet from the surface, aud will compare favorably with any in this section of the country. Their capacity for making brick is one million per year, and tile, five hundred thousand to six hundred thousand. They employ about forty men. In June, 1881, the shaft caught fire and destroyed the most of their buildings, causing a damage of $5,500. The capital stock is estimated at $20,000.

Charles Rauch, farmer, postoffice Virden, Macoupin County, Ills., was born in Muhlenburg, County, Ky., on the 28th day of December, 1827; son of Jacob and Pauline (Poley) Rauch, who was married in 1824; two children being born in Kentucky, Andrew and Charles; and in 1829, he left his home in Kentucky and came to Illinois, in wagons, camping out and driving their stock, and located in Auburn Township, where he pur- chased land and made a farm. Soon after coming to the country, built what was known far and near as Rauch Mills, one of the first grist and sawmills in this part of the country that was run by water. Coming to the country in limited means, but by good management and close ap- plication to business, accumulated a fine property

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

and at his early death, owned 2,000 acres of land, dying at the age of forty-seven, in 1843. Mother died February 5, 1880. She was a member of the German Baptist church and died as she had lived-a sincere Christian. Mr. Charles Rauch has been identified with the county for more than a half century and has seen the various changes. Married Miss Mary Brooks, daughter of Wmn. C. and Sarah Brooks, of Delaware. She was born June 22, 1838. There are a family of six children, three daughters and three sons, viz: Louise E , born November 3, 1861; Jennie B., born April 13, 1863; James C., born June 14, 1865: John B., February 24, 1868; Grace, born January 11, 1878; Charles M., born August 24, 1881. In politics, a Democrat, and has held several local offices in the gift of the people. Has two hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultiva- tion, valued at $75 per acre.

Andrew Rauch, farmer; post office, Virden; was born in Muhlenburg, Kentucky, on the 14th day of August, 1825; son of Jacob and Pauline Rauch. Andrew came to the county with his parents, when he was four years old, and has spent over half a century in Auburn township. June 13, 1854, he married Miss Margaret E. Cas- sity daughter of Alexander Cassity, who was one of the pioneers of the county ; she was born in Kentucky, October 13, 1833. There were nine children, six of whom are living-Frank, born August 18, 1857; Clara, born February 19, 1861; Emma, born February 7, 1864; Elmer, born July 20, 1867; Allie, born September 6, 1872, and Edgar G., born November 8, 1876. Mr. Rauch has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people, holding some town- ship office ever since he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Rauch has been in the county nearly all his life, and has seen all the changes, from a vast, wild prairie, to one of the best cultivated portions of the State, and can well be claimed as one of its pioneers. Is a member of the Masonic Order, Virden Lodge, No. 161.

Father D. J. Ryan, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Peoria, Peoria county, Illinois, on the 3d day of August, 1852. Son of William and Margaret (Keller) Ryan, natives of Ireland ; father emigrating in 1847, and mother in 1850, and were married in 1851. There was born to them a family of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. His father died June 9, 1880, at the age of sixty- four. When the subject of this sketch was two years old, his parents moved to Marshall county, where he remained on a farm until he was

thirteen years of age, when he went to LaSalle, where he commenced his preparatory studies, and remained there about a year and a half. Thence went to Niagara Falls, New York, where he finished his classical and divinity studies. In 1876, he commenced his first mission, at Grafton, Illinois, where he remained one year, and in the fall of 1876, came to Auburn, Illinois, where he has the charge of Auburn, Sugar Creek and Christian county congregations.

Jacob W. Shutt, farmer, section thirty-five, post office Virden, was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Shutt; was born in Sanga- mon county, Illinois, on the 10th day of October, 1834. His father was of German descent, and was born in North Carolina; mother a native of Georgia, born July 31, 1799. In 1810, came to Muhlenburg, Kentucky, where they were mar- ried. There were thirteen children, ten of whom lived to be men and women. In 1829, they em- igrated to Sangamon county, where he bought a small piece of land of a man by the name of Black. Being in limited circumstances, he had to commence at the bottom and work up. Mr. S. accumulated a fine property prior to his death, owning five hundred acres of valuable prairie. He died in 1856. He had to put up with all the privations of the pioneers, going to Springfield and St. Louis with his grain and to do his trad- ing, with ox-teams. When coming from St. Lonis, was overtaken by the darkness, and lost his way, and had to remain until morning. The country was full of wolves at that time, and it was anything but pleasant to lie and hear the wolves howl.

Jacob W. was reared on a farm, and received an elementary school education. When twenty- one years of age, went to work for himself. When twenty-six, he married Miss Susan C. Gates, daughter of Daniel Gates, of Kentucky. By this marriage, there were six children, one of which died in infancy. The living are as follows: Laura C., Charles M., Elizabeth L., Amos E., Phineas E. Mr. S. died April 1, 1873. For his second wife, married Miss Fannie Be- vins, of Kentucky, where she was born in 1844. By this union, there were three children, two of whom, James J. and Lewis B., are still living. Mr. S. has one hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is under a high state of culti- vation, with a fine home, valued at $10,000. He has been identified with the county all his life, and has seen all its various changes.

George Senniger, hardware merchant, Auburn, Ills. Among the principal business interests of Auburn we are pleased to mention Mr. George

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Senniger, who embarked in business in 1874, as the firm of Buek & Senniger. The following year, Captain W. H. Hummel bought the interest of Mr. Buek and continued in business up to 1878, when he bought his interest, and is at present sole proprietor. He carries a full line of shelf goods, stoves and everything else that is usually kept in a first-class store. He manu- factures all his tin-ware, roofing and spouting. Mr. S. is located on the northwest corner of the square, in a large and commodious building twenty by sixty, two-story frame building, and carries a stock of $3,000. Mr. Senniger was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 28th, 1837. When seventeen years old he was apprenticed, where he remained four years. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, nine months men, and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chandlorville. Previous to entering the army in 1861, he mar- ried Miss Mary DeBaugh. She was born in Penn- sylvania in 1841. The fruits of this marriage was nine children, eight of whom are living, Mary F., George J., David V., Allie, Julia, John, Louis and Charles. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic Order, Ark and Anchor Lodge No. 354, Auburn, Chap- ter and Commandery.

John F. Smith, of the dry goods firm of Smith & Hamlin, Auburn, Illinois, is a native of Germany, and was born in 1842. Being of an adventurous turn of mind, he emigrated to America, alone, in 1856. After spending a year in Chicago he came to Springfield, and has since been a resident of Sangamon county, save two years (1867 and 1868) spent as book-keeper in a bank at Carbondale, Illinois. In 1869, Mr. Smith located in Pawnee, Sangamon county, as a gen- eral merchant, and carried on business there until 1876, when failing health compelled him to sell out. During the first year at Pawnee his sales were $11,000, and in 1875 they aggregated $43,000. The rapid increase of $32,000 in six years, in a village eleven miles from a railroad, demonstrated the business qualifications of the man. After closing out, he settled nearly three years on a farm near Pawnee; when, having re- cuperated his health, at the solicitation of his friend, J. A. Abel, he re-entered the mercantile business in Auburn, in September, 1879, with a stock of general merchandise, embracing dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, hats, caps and notions. Frank L. Hamlin bought Mr. Abel's interest in April, 1881. The firm carries a stock of $13,000 to $15,000, and has an annual trade

of $40,000; the sales of 1881 being twenty-five per cent. larger than those of 1880. Besides his commercial interests, Mr. Smith, in company with Mr. Abel, has been engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, of which they ship about one hundred and twenty-five cars a year. In 1870, Mr. Smith married Mary E. Jarred, who was born in Indiana, in 1846, but rear d in San- gamon county, Illinois. They have two child. ren -- Pearly, aged eleven years, and Lelia, eight years old. Mr. Smith was made a Mason in Pawnee, in 1869-70, and has taken the Royal Arch Degree; is also a member of I. O. O. F., Auburn Lodge. Mrs. Smith's father resides at Crow's Mill, Sangamon county, Illinois. Her mother died in 1869. Mr. Smith's parents both survive, and with four of their six children, re- side in Germany. Ilis only brother in this country lives in Northern Iowa.

Elihu Stout, farmer and stock raiser, post office Auburn, was born in Scott county, Ken- tucky, January 30, 1816; son of Philemon and Penelope (Anderson) Stout. They were married in Kentucky, about 1810. There was a family of twelve children, six of whom lived to be men and women. In 1836, his father left his home in Kentucky for the Sangamo country, with team, where they arrived in due course of time, camping out on the way. It was customary in an early day, if they met movers, to ask them where they were going; remembers of asking a party (when they were coming through) where he was going, and he said to Iowa; being foreign to him, as he had never heard of Iowa before. Mr. Stout located in Ball township, where Phile- mon Stout now resides, where he bought an im- proved farm of three hundred and fifty acres, with eighty acres under cultivation, with a log cabin with two rooms, and known as the Dr. Dailey place, where his father remained until his death, which occurred in 1845. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. At his death, was a large land owner, and one of the large and wealthy farmers of the county. The subject of this sketch married for his first wife, Miss Re- becca P. A. Patton, daughter of Colonel James Patton, by whom there was three children, two of which grew to manhood, James M. and Phile- mon. Mrs. Rebecca Stout died September 21, 1852; and Elihu Stout married Mrs. Sarah J. Moore, whose maiden name was Williams. By this union there was five children, Thomas E. and Charles H .; three died in infancy. Mrs. Sarah J. Stout died September 17, 1866. For his third wife, married Mrs. Margaret E. Davis, whose maiden name was Williams. Mr. Stout

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has held several local offices of trust; has been a member of the Baptist Church for thirty-eight years. Is one of the large and influential farmers of the county, owning at one time seven hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $65 per acre. Mr. Stout has been identified with the county for forty-five years, and has lived to see the wild uncultivated prairies converted into one of the finest counties in the State.

L. C. Taylor, M. D. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 9th day of April, 1854. Son of Ninian R. and Catharine (Halbut) Taylor. Mother a native of Virginia, and father a native of Illinois, who came to the county in an early day and located on a farm, which he followed for a number of years. Is at present engaged in the hardware and grocery business, at Williamsville. The Doctor received a good business education. In 1872, commenced reading medicine, with Dr. J. M. West, of Springfield, where he remained about four years; in the meantime, attended lectures at Rush Med- ical College, Chicago. In 1874 and 1875, attended Bellevue Medical College, where he graduated. He then returned to Springfield, where he entered into company with Dr. West, and re- mained one year, when he came to Auburn, where he has followed his profession since. The Doctor is a member of the District Medical Society ; also of the I. O. O. F., and Masonic Lodge, No. 354.

William P. Taylor, farmer, section twenty- five, postoffice at Auburn, Illinois, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, December 22, 1835. Son of George and Polly E. (Tucker) Taylor, natives of Kentucky. Emigrated in an early day to Morgan county, where he made a farm and raised a family of ten children, all of whom are living at this writing, the youngest being thirty- one years old, and the oldest fifty-one. His father came to the county in limited circum- stances, but by good management and hard work has accumulated a fine property, and to- day is living a retired life in Jacksonville, and himself and wife have lived together over half a century. William P. married Miss Mary McKain, in 1861. She was the daughter of John McKain, a native of Ireland. She was born in Springfield, Illinois, August 21st, 1840. By this nnion there were six children, five of whom are living: William W., Ulysses W., Mary F., Laura E., George E. Has one hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which are under a high state of cultivation; value, $60 per acre.

John Ten Brook, farmer and stock-raiser, post- office Virden, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of February, 1811, son of Jacob and Richard (Tate) Ten Brook, of German descent; mother being born on the ocean just previous to being landed in New York. His grand-fathers, Ten Brook and Tate were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. There were three children of his father's, two of whom are living, William, now a resident of Douglas county, Illinois, and the subject of this sketch. In 1820, his father moved to Ohio, near Cincin- nati, where he followed farming, and remained five years. He then removed to Parks county, Indiana, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of timber land, and commenced to make a farm, remaining there until his death. In 1833, married Miss Mary Wilkins, a daugh- ter of Michael Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1813. There were ten children, five of whom are living, viz: Joseph, Martha, George, M. D., Annie and Ashbell. In 1860, his family having a throat disease, thought perhaps a change would be beneficial, he sold out and went to Springfield, Missouri. Mr. T. saw that there was trouble brewing, so he concluded as he had considerable gold that the bush whackers would want to count it for him, but not needing any help that way, made up his mind to return to Sangamon county, Illinois, knowing that it was one of the best farming sections in the State, and settled on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Ten Brook has a farm of three hundred and forty-six acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at seventy-five dollars per acre.

J. R. Trott, M. D., was born in Lenn, April 22, 1837; son of James J., and Rachel (Adair) Trott. His father was of Irish and mother of Scottish descent. His mother was a relative of Gen. Adair, who wasa soldier of the Revolution- ary war. His father was a missionary, and his field of labor was among the Cherokee Indians. The subject of this sketch attained only a com- mon school education, and at eighteen years old took up the study of medicine and his precep- tor, Dr. J. T. Evans, whom he studied under three years, and graduated at the St. Louis Med- ical College in 1857. He then took a trip in the Western States and Territories, and for several years was in the west; in 1863, returned to Mor- gan county, Ill., where he took up the practice of his profession and continued up to 1872, when he again made a trip to the Indian Territory, after which he returned to Virden, Montgomery county, Ill., where he opened a drug store in

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 131

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084